Fluid flow cell including a spherical lens

ABSTRACT

A flow cell device including a spherical optical element is disclosed. The spherical lens can be sealed to the body of the flow cell device in a manner that provides external optical access to a fluid in an analysis region of a flow path through the flow cell device. The seal can be provided by an elastomer, a polymer, or a deformable metal. The disposition of the spherical lens to the flow path enables in situ optical analysis of the fluid. An optical analysis device can be removably connected to the flow cell device to provide the optical analysis. In some embodiments the optical analysis device is a portable Raman spectrometer. The flow cell device can provide a supplementary interrogation interface, and/or an on board sensor device(s) to enable multivariate analysis and/or advanced triggering.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending, commonly owned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/908,628, filed Feb. 28, 2018, andentitled “FLUID FLOW CELL INCLUDING A SPHERICAL LENS,” which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/606,133,filed May 4, 2017, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/464,994, filed Feb. 28, 2017. Application Ser. No. 15/908,628,Application Ser. No. 62/606,133, and Application Ser. No. 62/464,994 areeach fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to a flow cell facilitating opticalinterrogation of a fluid flowing through the flow cell, and, forexample, to a flow cell including a spherical lens element disposed toenable optical interrogation of a fluid flowing through the flow cell.

BACKGROUND

Conventional optical spectroscopy of flowing fluids is generallyperformed via an optical probe device that is inserted through a portinto a fluid flow region. These optical probe devices can include a‘window’ optical element, e.g., a non-refractive optical element thattypically can be disposed between the refractive optical elements of theoptical probe device and the sample flow, e.g., the optical probe devicecan have a tip that is inserted through a port into the flow, whereinthe tip can include a window element to protect the refractive opticalelements within the optical probe device.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, the disclosed subject matter provides for a flow celldevice (FCD) that enables removably connecting an optical analysisdevice, e.g., a portable Raman spectrometer, to an attachment point ofthe flow cell device allowing for interrogation of fluids in an analysiszone (“analysis zone” used interchangeably with “analysis region”herein). The removable connection is intended to provide for readydisconnection of the optical analysis device to allow other points inthe fluidic system equipped with similar FCDs to be interrogated byremovably attaching the optical analysis devices at those other FCDs. Itwill be appreciated that an optical analysis device can be left attachedto the attachment point where removal of the optical analysis device isnot desired or needed. However, the practical advantages of a techniciancarrying an optical analysis device to different test points in aprocess line and readily attaching the optical analysis device to a FCDat each test point to gather data for that point will be appreciated totypically be superior to the complexities of plumbing sample transportlines to a dedicated single flow cell, and/or the expense of multipleoptical analysis instruments fixed at each test point, etc.

In another aspect, the FCD can include a spherical optical element(SOE), e.g., a spherical lens, ball lens, etc. The SOE can be disposedso as to be part of the fluid path, e.g., as part of the fluid pathwall. In an aspect, the SOE can be sealed into an orifice defined in thefluid path wall such that flowing a fluid through the fluid path resultsin the fluid flowing directly past and in contact with the SOE. The SOEcan be sealed in place to prevent fluid leaking past the SOE, e.g., viaan elastomer, a polymer, a deformable metal seal, an epoxy, or othersealants, etc. Optical energy can then be passed into an analysis zonedefined by the optics of the optical analysis device and the SOE. Thiscan enable seamless integration of the measurement interface into thefluid flow path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example system that can facilitateoptical interrogation of a sample flowing into an analysis zone defined,at least in part, by a spherical optical element that can conductoptical energy between a flow cell device including the sphericaloptical element and an optical analysis instrument, in accordance withaspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example system that can enabletransmitting optical energy in and out of an analysis zone via aspherical optical element of flow cell device, in accordance withaspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example system that can facilitatetransmitting optical energy in and out of an analysis zone via aspherical optical element of flow cell device and provides asupplemental interrogation interface for fluids in flowing through afluid path, in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a front cross-sectional view of an examplesystem that can facilitate transmission of optical energy in and out ofan analysis zone via a spherical optical element of flow cell device,wherein the spherical lens is sealed against an opening in a fluid pathand is retained by a retention component, in accordance with aspects ofthe subject disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a perspective exploded view of an examplesystem including a spherical lens element that is retained via aretention component, in accordance with aspects of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a front cross-sectional view of an examplesystem that can facilitate transmission of optical energy in and out ofan analysis zone via a spherical optical element of flow cell device, inaccordance with aspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view of an example systemsimilar to the system of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a front cross-sectional view of an exampleflow cell device, in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a perspective partially exploded view of anexample system with a flow cell device similar to the flow cell deviceof FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a front exploded cross-sectional view ofan example system that can facilitate transmission of optical energy inand out of an analysis zone via a spherical optical element of flow celldevice, in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a front cross-sectional view of theexample system of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a perspective view of an example flow celldevice similar to the flow cell device of FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross section illustration of an example system that canfacilitate transmitting optical energy in and out of an analysis zonevia a spherical optical element of a first leg of a fluid path of a flowcell device and provides a second leg of the fluid path including anadditional interrogation interface, in accordance with aspects of thesubject disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example process facilitating analysis of a fluidpassing through a flow cell device including a spherical lens thatenables transmitting optical energy in and out of an analysis zone offlow cell device, in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example process illustrating removably connectingan optical analysis device to a flow cell device including a sphericallens that enables transmitting optical energy in and out of an analysiszone of flow cell device, in accordance with aspects of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example process enabling triggering at least anoptical analysis of a fluid passing through a flow cell device includinga spherical lens that enables transmitting optical energy in and out ofan analysis zone of flow cell device, in accordance with aspects of thesubject disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example block diagram of a computing systemoperable to execute the disclosed systems and processes in accordancewith some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure is now described with reference to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elementsthroughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the subject disclosure. It may be evident, however,that the subject disclosure may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subjectdisclosure.

Typically, conventional optical analysis of a flowing fluid can eitherbe performed in-situ by inserting an optical probe device into a flowingsample via an insertion port plumbed into the fluidic system ofinterest, or can transport a sample of the fluid to a flow cell of anoptical analysis instrument, e.g., wherein the optical analysisinstrument is generally fixedly disposed relative to the flow cell. Bothof these conventional approaches can have drawbacks, e.g., contaminationvia an insertion port, complex plumping where samples from differentpoints of a fluidic process are transported to a single optical analysisflow cell, cross contamination in running multiple streams through asame flow cell, altering fluidic conditions, e.g., temperature, flowrate, etc., by tapping off a fluid for transport to an external flowcell, etc. It can be desirable to perform optical analysis of fluids insitu without use of an inserted probe. Moreover, where an opticalanalysis device can be readily connected and disconnected from anoptical sampling at the fluidic device, an added benefit of moving theoptical analysis device between different analysis location in thefluidic system can reduce the complexities of plumbing and contaminationassociated with using a single flow cell, or with a single conventionalprobe, for analysis of multiple points in a fluid system.

In an aspect, the disclosed subject matter provides for a flow celldevice (FCD) that enables removably connecting an optical analysisdevice, e.g., a portable Raman spectrometer, to an attachment point ofthe flow cell device allowing for interrogation of fluids in an analysiszone (“analysis zone” is used interchangeably with “analysis region”herein). The removable connection is intended to provide for readydisconnection of the optical analysis device to allow other points inthe fluidic system equipped with similar FCDs to be interrogated byremovably attaching the optical analysis devices at those other FCDs. Itwill be appreciated that an optical analysis device can be left attachedto the attachment point where removal of the optical analysis device isnot desired or needed. However, the practical advantages of a techniciancarrying an optical analysis device to different test points in aprocess line and readily attaching the optical analysis device to a FCDat each test point to gather data for that point will be appreciated totypically be superior to the complexities of plumbing sample transportlines to a dedicated single flow cell, and/or the expense of multipleoptical analysis instruments fixed at each test point, etc.

In another aspect, the FCD can include a spherical optical element(SOE), e.g., a spherical lens, ball lens, etc. The SOE can be disposedso as to be part of the fluid path, e.g., as part of the fluid pathwall. In an aspect, the SOE can be sealed into an orifice defined in thefluid path wall such that flowing a fluid through the fluid path resultsin the fluid flowing directly past and in contact with the SOE. The SOEcan be sealed in place to prevent fluid leaking past the SOE, e.g., viaan elastomer, a deformable metal seal, etc. Optical energy can then bepassed into an analysis zone defined by the optics of the opticalanalysis device and the SOE. “Spherical optical element,” or similarterms, can refer to an optical element, e.g., a lens, etc., that has aspherical, or nearly spherical, geometry. Moreover, the term “sphericaloptical element,” as used herein, can also include any optical elementthat conducts light via a portion of an optical element that includes acurved surface approximating at least a portion of a sphere. As anexample, an optical element including two individual generallyhemispherical portions can also be considered a spherical element withinthe scope of the instant disclosure. As particular examples, opticssimilar to, or the same as, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,831,745,entitled “Optical Immersion Probe Incorporating a Spherical Lens,” andU.S. Pat. No. 6,977,729, also entitled “Optical Immersion ProbeIncorporating a Spherical Lens,” the entireties of which applicationsare hereby incorporated by reference herein, can be employed to perform,for example, Raman spectroscopy of a fluid in the analysis zone.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the disclosedsubject matter, then, includes one or more of the features hereinaftermore fully described. The following description and the annexed drawingsset forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the subject matter.However, these aspects are indicative of but a few of the various waysin which the principles of the subject matter can be employed. Otheraspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosed subject matterwill become apparent from the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the provided drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system 100, which can facilitate opticalinterrogation of a sample flowing into an analysis zone defined, atleast in part, by a spherical optical element that can conduct opticalenergy between a flow cell device including the spherical opticalelement and an optical analysis instrument, in accordance with aspectsof the subject disclosure. System 100 can include fluidic systemcomponent 102. Fluidic system component 102 can be part of a fluidicsystem, e.g., a microfluidic system, a process line having fluidicstages, etc. Fluid can flow from fluidic system component 102 to andfrom analysis zone including a spherical lens element 110, e.g., viafluid flow to analysis zone 120 and fluid flow from analysis zone 140.The fluid can be any suitable type of fluid or material, including,without limitation, a liquid, gas, slurry, suspension, heterogeneousmixture of liquid and solid, powder, aerosol or other flowing solidmaterial (e.g., peanut butter), or any other fluid. In an aspect,fluidic system component 102 can be a line or pipe transporting fluid ina fluidic system, wherein fluidic system component 102, e.g., the lineor pipe can have inserted therein a device defining an analysis zone,e.g., analysis zone including a spherical lens element 110, such as ananalysis zone defined in a flow cell device (FCD) as disclosed herein.For simplicity, in the context of the disclosed subject matter, theterms analysis zone including a spherical lens element, e.g., 110, canbe simply referred to as an ‘analysis zone,’ wherein all analysis zonesdisclosed herein are, except where explicitly stated otherwise, toinclude or be defined, at least in part, by a spherical lens element.

System 100 can further include optical analysis component 150 that canfacilitate performing an optical analysis of a fluid in analysis zone110. Optical energy 130 can be communicated between optical analysiscomponent 150 and analysis zone 110 via the spherical lens element thatanalysis zone 110 includes. In an aspect, optical analysis component 150can be an optical emitter and/or receiver portion of nearly any opticalanalytical device. For the sake of clarity and brevity, optical analysiscomponent 150 will generally be discussed in terms of a portable Ramanspectrometer device, although the disclosed subject matter is expresslynot so limited and is intended to include nearly any other opticalanalysis, e.g., infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy,ultraviolet-visual (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, near infrared (NIR)spectroscopy, reflectance spectroscopy, absorption spectroscopy,scattering spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, or any other opticaltechnique, particularly those utilizing a co-located light source anddetector, among others.

In some embodiments, analysis zone 110 can be included in a FCD insertedinto a fluid transport line, for example in an oil refinery,pharmaceutical plant, municipal water treatment facility, etc., suchthat a fluid of interest passes through an analysis zone defined in partby a SOE, e.g., a spherical lens. The SOE can enable passing opticalenergy 130, such as a laser, etc., from optical analysis component 150,e.g., a portable Raman spectrometer, etc., into the analysis zone viathe SOE to interrogate a fluid flowing past the SOE, e.g., the fluidflowing in via fluid flow to analysis zone. The laser, e.g., opticalenergy 130, can interact with the sample in the analysis zone and Ramanshifted light, e.g., optical energy 130, can be collected via the SOEand returned to optical analysis component 150 for analysis andinterpretation. In this example embodiment, the portable Ramanspectrometer can be carried to different FCDs deployed in the oilrefinery, pharmaceutical plant, municipal water treatment facility,etc., to allow collection of Raman spectra for different fluidic testpoints. This embodiment illustrates that the inclusion of the SOE intothe analysis zone 110 provides direct interrogation of the fluid in theanalysis zone via the SOE by simply passing in optical energy andcollecting resulting optical energy. As such, connection of an opticalanalysis component 150 can be simple and easy to connect and disconnectwithout disturbing the fluidic system. Moreover, by not directlyinserting an optical probe, via a probe port, into the fluid, thepossibility of contamination is reduced, the need to clean/sanitize, theoptical probe is reduced, etc.

In a particular example embodiment, such as a Marqmetrix® Process EliteFlow Cell BallProbe®, the analysis zone 110 can be included in a FCDformed from, for example, Hastelloy™, etc., and having dimensions ofapproximately 3.5 cm in length, 2 cm in height, and 1.3 cm in depth.This particular example can further include a SOE of approximately 6 mmin diameter. In some versions of this example embodiment, the SOE can besapphire, for example, UV-grade sapphire, etc. The SOE can be sealedagainst fluid incursion by, for example, perflouroelastomer, such asKalrez™, etc., or a deformable metal, e.g., gold, an epoxy, or othersealants, etc., where predicted environmental conditions in the fluidpath dictate. In this particular example, the clear aperture of aninterrogating laser, e.g., a maximum laser beam waist, can beapproximately 5.6 mm. The example embodiment can be plumbed into afluidic line with standard connections, e.g., ⅛″ Swagelok™, Parker™A-lok™ fittings, ¼-28 flangeless fittings, low-, medium- andhigh-pressure fittings, coned fittings, threaded fittings, nominal pipethread (NPT) fittings, face-sealing fittings, piston-sealing fittings,other standard plumbing connector fittings, etc.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a system 200, which can facilitatetransmitting optical energy in and out of an analysis zone via aspherical optical element of flow cell device, in accordance withaspects of the subject disclosure. System 200 can include flow celldevice (FCD) 212. FCD 212 can provide fluid path 214 to facilitate thetransport of a fluid through analysis zone 262. Analysis zone 262 can beproximate to a SOE, e.g., spherical lens element 260. Spherical lenselement 260 can define a portion of a boundary of fluid path 214, e.g.,spherical lens element 260 can act as part of the wall of a tunnelthrough FCD 212 that carries a flowing fluid. Fluid flow can beintroduced to fluid path 214 as fluid flow to analysis zone 220. Fluidcan flow from fluid flow to analysis zone 220 to fluid flow fromanalysis zone 240 via fluid path 214 and, as such, can transitionthrough analysis zone 262.

In an aspect, spherical lens element 260 can enable optical energy 230to be passed into and out of analysis zone 262 from outside of the fluidpath. Whereas fluid flow to analysis zone 220 can be introduced througha sealed connection between fluid path 214 of FCD 212 and a fluidicsystem component, e.g., 102, etc., and whereas fluid flow from analysiszone 240 can similarly be facilitated by sealed connection between fluidpath 214 of FCD 212 and a fluidic system component, e.g., 102, etc.,spherical lens element 260 can provide for optical interrogation of anin situ sample, e.g., the fluid at analysis zone 262, by an externaloptical analysis device, e.g., via optical analysis component 150, etc.This can enable seamless integration of the measurement interface intothe fluid flow path. In an aspect, spherical lens element 260 can beprovided in a conduit to which removable optical analysis components,e.g., 150, etc., can be attached and detached from FCD 212. In someembodiments, the spherical lens element 260 can be complemented byadditional fluid interrogation features, e.g., 370, etc., to create amultivariate measurement location of the fluid at analysis zone 262 offluid path 214.

In some embodiments, FCD 212 can include one or more materials, e.g., ametal, plastic, glass, etc. Some embodiments of FCD 212 can includefluid path 214 as a tunnel through the material forming FCD 212. Inother embodiments of FCD 212 fluid path 214 can be at least partlydefined by a component of a different material than the material formingFCD 212 and the material forming the component defining the fluid path214 can be supported by the material forming FCD 212, e.g., fluid path214 can be defined in a component such as a stainless steel tube that issupported in, for example, a thermoplastic body forming FCD 212.Spherical lens element 260 can be formed of an optical material that hasproperties germane to the operational environment of the fluids expectedto be encountered. Spherical lens element 260 can be formed of the sameor different materials as the component defining the fluid path 214and/or FCD 212. Thus, in some embodiments, the spherical lens element260 may define a portion of the boundary of the fluid path 214 and maybe made of a first material, while a component, such as a tube supportedin a body of the FCD 212, may define a remaining portion of the boundaryof the fluid path 214 and may be made of a second material differentfrom the first material, and the FCD 212 supporting the component (e.g.,tube made of the second material) may be made of a third materialdifferent from the first material and/or the second material. As anexample, spherical lens element 260 can be sapphire that is sealed intoan opening in fluid path 214, which can be formed by an opening through,for example, a Hastelloy™ body of FCD 212. Spherical lens element 260can be sealed against the opening in fluid path 214 via a material thatcan be the same or different from other materials of fluid path 214, FCD212, and/or spherical lens element 260, for example, the seal can be viaan elastomer, e.g., buna-N, etc., a polymer, e.g., Delrin™, etc., adeformable metal, e.g., gold, an epoxy, or other sealants, etc. Theselection of the sealing material can be based on the expected operatingenvironment. In an aspect, the connections providing for fluid flowto/from the analysis zone, e.g., 220, 240, etc., can be based on anytype of connector, and can include low-, medium- and high-pressurefittings including ferrule compression, conical, and coned-and-threadedmechanisms, a welded device, a brazed device, or a soldered device.Optical energy 230 can be conducted via an interface, e.g., opticalanalysis device connector 416, etc., that can serve as a connection to aremovable optical analysis device, and can be of various lengths and/ordiameter. In some embodiments an optical analysis device can be hardmounted to the interface. The optical energy connection can includeheating/cooling features such as fins, liquid circulators,thermoelectric devices, etc., to adapt or maintain the temperature ofthe optical interface in view of heating/cooling effects associated withthe fluid flow, e.g., where the fluid is super-cooled, the opticalinterface can be heated to compensate for heat loss to the fluid.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a system 300, which can facilitatetransmitting optical energy in and out of an analysis zone via aspherical optical element of flow cell device and provides asupplemental interrogation interface for fluids in flowing through afluid path, in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure. System300 can include flow cell device (FCD) 312. FCD 312 can provide fluidpath 314 to facilitate the transport of a fluid through analysis zone362. Analysis zone 362 can be proximate to a SOE, e.g., spherical lenselement 360. Spherical lens element 360 can define a portion of aboundary of fluid path 314, e.g., spherical lens element 360 can act aspart of the wall of a tunnel through FCD 312 that carries a flowingfluid. Fluid flow can be introduced to fluid path 314 as fluid flow toanalysis zone 320. Fluid can flow from fluid flow to analysis zone 362to fluid flow from analysis zone 340 via fluid path 314 and, as such,can transition through analysis zone 362.

In an aspect, spherical lens element 360 can enable optical energy 330to be passed into and out of analysis zone 362 from outside of the fluidpath. Whereas fluid flow to analysis zone 320 can be introduced througha sealed connection to a fluidic system and removed via fluid flow fromanalysis zone 340 can be similarly sealed to the fluidic system,spherical lens element 360 can provide for optical interrogation of anin situ sample at analysis zone 362 by an external optical analysisdevice. This can provide a seamless integration of the measurementinterface into fluid path 314. In an aspect, spherical lens element 360can be provided as a conduit to which removable optical analysiscomponents, e.g., 150, etc., can be attached and detached from FCD 312.

In some embodiments, system 300 can facilitate additional interrogationof the fluid flowing in fluid path 314. FCD 312 can include additionalfluid interrogation interface 370. As an example, additional fluidinterrogation interface 370 can include or befitted with a reflector,substrate, etc., that can enhance or support an optical measurement viaoptical energy 330, e.g., a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)substrate, a mirror, a metal surface, etc., that can prevent the body ofFCD 312 from contributing a Raman signal, for example, by obscuring thebody of FCD 312 from being interrogated by optical energy 330. Further,additional fluid interrogation interface 370 can enable creation of amultivariate measurement location of the fluid at analysis zone 362 offluid path 314 by providing access to the fluid. In some embodiments,additional fluid interrogation interface 370 can be proximate (e.g.,adjacent) to the analysis zone, e.g., analysis zone 262, correspondingto spherical lens element 360. In other embodiments, additional fluidinterrogation interface 370 need not be proximate to the analysis zone.In some embodiments, the additional fluid interrogation interface 370may include a retroreflective surface that acts as a portion of thefluid path 314 and is located on the opposite side of the analysis zone362 from the side of the analysis zone 362 where the spherical lenselement 360 is located. The retroreflective surface of the additionalfluid interrogation interface 370 may be an array of corner reflectorsor a concave spherical surface. An example purpose of thisretroreflective surface is to focus and return optical energy to thespherical lens element 360. The retroreflective surface of theadditional fluid path interrogation interface 370 may be treated (e.g.electropolished) to enhance reflective efficiency. The retroreflectivesurface of the additional fluid path interrogation interface 370 may bepermanently manufactured as part of the FCD 312 or removable (e.g. athreaded or press-fit insert with a retroreflective tip/surface). If theadditional fluid path interrogation interface 370 is a retroreflectiveremovable insert, the retroreflective removable insert may have aretroreflective surface as its tip and can be manually adjusted to movetowards and away from the spherical lens element 360 to optimize thereturn of optical energy. The additional fluid path interrogationinterface 370 implemented as a removable insert can be retained in theFCD 312 with any suitable corrosion-resistant and leak-resistantsolution (i.e. so that fluid will not leak between the insert and theFCD 312 during medium pressure fluid flow). This can be achieved viapress fit, adhesive bond, brazing, soldering, or threading.

In an aspect, FCD 312 can include, in some embodiments, sensor device(s)380. Sensor device(s) 380 can include a sensor related to measuringtemperature, pressure, flow, pH, salinity, turbidity, etc., of theflowing fluid, of FCD 312, of spherical lens element 360, etc. As anexample, sensor device(s) 380 can include a pressure sensor before andafter the analysis zone of fluid path 314, whereby the relativepressures of the fluid at these locations can indicate the direction offlow, speed of flow, viscosity of the fluid, etc., at the analysis zone.In an aspect, these example sensor device(s) 380 can be employed totrigger one or more optical analyses, e.g., the pressure differentialcan be used to determine a flow rate such that an optical analysis istriggered (e.g., when flow rate satisfies (e.g., meets or exceeds) aturbidity threshold) when the measurement would not be redundant ascould occur for repeated measurements of a slow flowing fluid. Asanother example, a turbidity sensor can be employed to trigger anoptical analysis when the flowing fluid becomes turbid, e.g., where theflowing fluid includes a carrier fluid with intermitted slugs of fluidsof interest demarked by higher turbidity that the carrier fluid, thepresence of a turbid region can trigger analysis to capture measurementsof the fluid of interest as it passes through the analysis zone.Numerous other examples will be readily appreciated and all suchexamples are within the scope of the present disclosure despite notbeing expressly recited for the sake of clarity and brevity.

In an aspect, optical analysis via spherical lens element 360 can becorrelated to interrogation results via additional fluid pathinterrogation interface 370 and/or measurements of sensor device(s) 380.This can provide additional analytical vectors into the properties ofthe fluid passing through fluid path 314, particularly as it passesthrough the analysis zone affiliated with spherical lens element 360. Itwill also be noted that the fluid path can take any form needed toprovide for additional fluid path interrogation interface 370 and isexpressly not constrained to the block cutout illustrated in system 300,which is used for simplicity of illustration.

FIG. 4 is a front cross section illustration of a system 400, which canfacilitate transmission of optical energy in and out of an analysis zonevia a spherical optical element of flow cell device, wherein thespherical lens is sealed against an opening in a fluid path and isretained by a retention component, in accordance with aspects of thesubject disclosure. System 400 can include flow cell device (FCD) 412.FCD 412 can provide fluid path 414 to facilitate the transport of afluid through analysis zone 462. Analysis zone 462 can be proximate to aSOE, e.g., spherical lens element 460. Spherical lens element 460 candefine a portion of a boundary of fluid path 414, e.g., spherical lenselement 460 can act as part of the wall of a tunnel through FCD 412 thatcarries a flowing fluid. Spherical lens element 460 can be retained inFCD 412 via spherical lens retention component 418. Spherical lensretention component 418 can provide seating and sealing pressure, forexample, via a threaded interface with FCD 412, via a friction fitinterface with FCD 412, can be held in compression against the SOE by anadhesive bond to the body of FCD 412, can be brazed or soldered inplace, etc. The spherical lens element 460 may, for example, be sealedinto an orifice 425 that is defined in the flow cell device 412 at aportion of a boundary of the fluid path 414. In this manner, thespherical lens element 460 may provide optical access to the analysiszone 462 of the fluid path 414 while preventing leaking of the fluidbetween the spherical lens element 460 and the orifice 425.

FCD 412 can include an input connection 415 (e.g., a protrusion) thatcouples to an input connector of a fluidic system, and an outputconnection 417 (e.g., a protrusion) that couples to an output connectorof a fluidic system. In some embodiments, the fluidic system cancomprise a vessel, container, or the like that contains a fluid that canbe expressed from the vessel, container, or the like. For example, in amedical setting, the input connection 415 may be configured to couple toa syringe (e.g., using a Luer lock fitting) that contains a fluid, and ahuman operator can physically express the fluid from the syringe intothe fluid path 414. In some scenarios, FCD 412 may include the inputconnection 415 and may omit an output connection 417 so that FCD 412 canbe filled with a fluid so that, once filled, optical interrogation ofthe fluid sample can commence. After completion of the opticalinterrogation, the fluid sample may egress from the fluid path 414through the same point at which it entered the fluid path 414.Alternatively, the output connection 417 may be included, but sealedwhile FCD 412 is filled with a fluid sample. Additionally, oralternatively, FCD 412 may be disposable such that the human operatormay dispose of FCD 412 after performing one or more opticalinterrogations of a fluid sample(s).

In an aspect, spherical lens element 460, via optical analysis deviceconnector 416, can enable optical energy 430 to be passed into and outof analysis zone 462 from outside of the fluid path. Whereas fluid flowto analysis zone 462 can be introduced through sealed connections to afluidic system, spherical lens element 460 can provide for opticalinterrogation of an in situ sample at analysis zone 462 by an externaloptical analysis device. This can provide a seamless integration of themeasurement interface into fluid path 414. In an aspect, opticalanalysis device connector 416 can be a conduit (e.g., defined within atube), and a removable optical analysis components, e.g., 150, etc., canbe attached and detached from FCD 412 via the optical analysis deviceconnector 416. In some, but not all, embodiments optical analysis deviceconnector 416 can be cylindrically symmetric. Other embodiments canprovide an optical path to/from spherical lens element 460 while havingalternate geometries, e.g., a square cross section, an octagonal crosssection, a cross section having a keyed portion to enable an addressableconnection to an optical analysis component, e.g., optical analysiscomponent 150, etc., or nearly any other shape that still provides anoptical path for optical energy 430.

It is noted that system 400 is not illustrated in a proportionate mannerand that the dimensions of the components illustrated can be other thanillustrated without departing form the scope of the disclosed subjectmatter. As an example, spherical lens element 460 can be larger orsmaller than illustrated in relation to fluid path 414. Moreover, theparticular configuration of the illustrated components can be alteredwhere the function of the components is retained. As examples, sphericallens retention component 418 can be reduced to fit entirely within FCD412, optical analysis device connector 416 can be longer/shorter, have athinner/thicker wall, can have a larger/smaller inner diameter, etc.,optical analysis device connector 416 can be mounted into the body ofFCD 412, can be adhered to, welded, braised, soldered, etc., to FCD 412,can include spherical lens retention component 418, FCD 412 can includeoptical analysis device connector 416, etc., without departing from thescope of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view illustration of an example system 500including a spherical lens element that is retained via a retentioncomponent, in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure. Examplesystem 500 can include FCD 512. FCD 512 can provide fluid path 514 tofacilitate the transport of a fluid through a fluid analysis zone thatcan be proximate to a SOE, e.g., spherical lens element 560. Sphericallens element 560 can define a portion of a boundary of fluid path 514,e.g., spherical lens element 560 can act as part of the wall of a tunnelthrough FCD 512 that carries a flowing fluid. Spherical lens element 560can be retained in FCD 512 via spherical lens retention component 518.Spherical lens retention component 518 can provide seating and sealingpressure, for example, via a threaded interface with FCD 512, via afriction fit interface with FCD 512, can be held in compression againstthe SOE by an adhesive bond to FCD 512, can be brazed or soldered inplace, etc. FCD 512 can include an input connection 515 (e.g., aprotrusion) that couples to an input connector of a fluidic system, andan output connection 517 (e.g., a protrusion) that couples to an outputconnector of a fluidic system.

In an aspect, spherical lens element 560 can enable optical energy to bepassed into and out of the analysis zone from outside of the fluid pathvia optical analysis device connector 516. Whereas fluid flow to theanalysis zone can be introduced through sealed connections to a fluidicsystem, spherical lens element 560 can provide for optical interrogationof an in situ sample at the analysis zone by an external opticalanalysis device. This can provide a seamless integration of themeasurement interface into fluid path 514. In an aspect, opticalanalysis device connector 516 can be a conduit (e.g., defined within atube), and a removable optical analysis components, e.g., opticalanalysis components 150, etc., can be attached and detached from FCD 512via the optical analysis device connector 516. In some, but not all,embodiments optical analysis device connector 516 can be cylindricallysymmetric. Optical analysis device connector 516 can include a fittingcomponent, an indexing component, etc., e.g. can be tapered, keyed,etc., on the interface, etc. Other embodiments can provide an opticalpath to/from spherical lens element 560 while having alternategeometries.

Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can include a sphericallens element 560 included of glass, doped glass, sapphire, diamond,ruby, zinc selenide, potassium bromide crystal, sodium bromide crystal,polymer, etc. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter caninclude a FCD 512 included of a metal, alloy, polymer, ceramic,composite, glass, etc. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject mattercan include a seal between the FCD 512 and spherical lens element 560that is a compression seal, epoxy seal, etc. Some embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter can include an attachment between the opticalanalysis device connector 516 and an optical analysis component 150 thatis permanent, removable, etc. Some embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter can include a fluid path 514 that can be diverted internally toaccommodate an additional measurement port, e.g., additional fluid pathinterrogation interface 370, 670, etc., sensor device(s) 380, etc., orother fluid interactions and/or reactions. Some embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter can include a fluid paths 514 that can bemanipulated internally, e.g., filtering, injection, cooling/heating,etc., in combination with spectroscopic measurement.

FIG. 6 is a front cross section illustration of a system 600, which canfacilitate transmission of optical energy in and out of an analysis zonevia a spherical optical element of flow cell device, in accordance withaspects of the subject disclosure. System 600 can include flow celldevice (FCD) 612. FCD 612 may be a low-pressure flow cell devicesuitable for use with low pressure fluidic systems (e.g., in a rangefrom 0 to approximately 500 pounds per square inch (psi)). The FCD 612can provide fluid path 614 to facilitate the transport of a fluidthrough analysis zone 662. Analysis zone 662 can be proximate to a SOE,e.g., spherical lens element 660. Spherical lens element 660 can definea portion of a boundary of fluid path 614, e.g., spherical lens element660 can act as part of the wall of a tunnel through FCD 612 that carriesa flowing fluid. Spherical lens element 660 can be retained in FCD 612via a spherical lens retention component, in some embodiments, which mayprovide seating and sealing pressure against the spherical lens element660. Spherical lens element 660 may, alternatively, be held in place byan adhesive bond to the body of FCD 612, and/or the spherical lenselement 660 can be brazed or soldered in place, and/or an elastomer sealmay be provided, etc. The spherical lens element 660 may, for example,be sealed into an orifice 625 that is defined in the flow cell device612 at a portion of a boundary of the fluid path 614. In this manner,the spherical lens element 660 may provide optical access to theanalysis zone 662 of the fluid path 614 while preventing leaking of thefluid between the spherical lens element 660 and the orifice 625.

FCD 612 can include an input connection 615 (e.g., an externallythreaded protrusion) that couples to an input connector 619 of a fluidicsystem, and an output connection 617 (e.g., an externally threadedprotrusion) that couples to an output connector 621 of a fluidic system.In some embodiments, the fluidic system can comprise a vessel,container, or the like that contains a fluid that can be expressed fromthe vessel, container, or the like. For example, in a medical setting,the input connection 615 may be configured to couple to a syringe (e.g.,using a Luer lock fitting) that contains a fluid, and a human operatorcan physically express the fluid from the syringe into the fluid path614. In some scenarios, FCD 612 may include the input connection 615 andmay omit an output connection 617 so that FCD 612 can be filled with afluid so that, once filled, optical interrogation of the fluid samplecan commence. After completion of the optical interrogation, the fluidsample may egress from the fluid path 614 through the same point atwhich it entered the fluid path 614. Alternatively, the outputconnection 617 may be included, but sealed while FCD 612 is filled witha fluid sample. Additionally, or alternatively, FCD 612 may bedisposable such that the human operator may dispose of FCD 612 afterperforming one or more optical interrogations of a fluid sample(s).

In an aspect, spherical lens element 660, via optical analysis deviceconnector 616, can enable optical energy 630 to be passed into and outof analysis zone 662 from outside of the fluid path. Whereas fluid flowto analysis zone 662 can be introduced through sealed connections to afluidic system, spherical lens element 660 can provide for opticalinterrogation of an in situ sample at analysis zone 662 by an externaloptical analysis device. This can provide a seamless integration of themeasurement interface into fluid path 614. In an aspect, opticalanalysis device connector 616 can be a conduit (e.g., defined within atube), and a removable optical analysis component, e.g., 150, etc., canbe attached and detached from FCD 612 via the optical analysis deviceconnector 616. Optical analysis device connector 616 can be attached tothe body of FCD 612 in any suitable manner, such as a weld, a threadedcoupling, or any suitable form of attachment. In some, but not all,embodiments optical analysis device connector 616 can be cylindricallysymmetric. Other embodiments can provide an optical path to/fromspherical lens element 660 while having alternate geometries, e.g., asquare cross section, an octagonal cross section, a cross section havinga keyed portion to enable an addressable connection to an opticalanalysis component, e.g., optical analysis component 150, etc., ornearly any other shape that still provides an optical path for opticalenergy 630.

It is noted that system 600 is not illustrated in a proportionate mannerand that the dimensions of the components illustrated can be other thanillustrated without departing from the scope of the disclosed subjectmatter. As an example, spherical lens element 660 can be larger orsmaller than illustrated in relation to fluid path 614. Moreover, theparticular configuration of the illustrated components can be alteredwhere the function of the components is retained. As examples, sphericallens retention component 618 can be reduced to fit entirely within FCD612, optical analysis device connector 616 can be longer/shorter, have athinner/thicker wall, can have a larger/smaller inner diameter, etc.,optical analysis device connector 616 can be mounted into the body ofFCD 612, can be adhered to, welded, braised, soldered, etc., to FCD 612,can include spherical lens retention component 618, FCD 612 can includeoptical analysis device connector 616, etc., without departing from thescope of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view of an example system 700similar to the system 600 of FIG. 6. The system 700 may include the sameor similar components to those described with reference to FIG. 6,including, as shown in FIG. 7, a FCD 712 having an input connection 715,an output connection 717, and a fluid path 714 defined therein, as wellas an optical analysis device connector 716.

FIG. 8 is a front cross section illustration of an example flow celldevice 812, in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure. FCD812 may be a medium-pressure flow cell device suitable for use withmedium pressure fluidic systems (e.g., in a range from about 500 psi toabout 2500 psi). The FCD 812 can provide fluid path 814 to facilitatethe transport of a fluid through analysis zone 862. Analysis zone 862can be proximate to a SOE, e.g., spherical lens element 860. Sphericallens element 860 can define a portion of a boundary of fluid path 814,e.g., spherical lens element 860 can act as part of the wall of a tunnelthrough FCD 812 that carries a flowing fluid. Spherical lens element 860can be retained in FCD 812 via any suitable mechanism, such as a pressfit, an adhesive bond, brazing, soldering, etc. The spherical lenselement 860 may, for example, be sealed into an orifice 825 that isdefined in the flow cell device 812 at a portion of a boundary of thefluid path 814. In this manner, the spherical lens element 860 mayprovide optical access to the analysis zone 862 of the fluid path 814while preventing leaking of the fluid between the spherical lens element860 and the orifice 825.

FCD 812 can include an input connection 815 (e.g., an internallythreaded hole) that couples to (e.g., by receiving) an input connectorof a fluidic system, and an output connection 817 (e.g., an internallythreaded hole) that couples to (e.g., by receiving) an output connectorof a fluidic system. In some embodiments, the fluidic system cancomprise a vessel, container, or the like that contains a fluid that canbe expressed from the vessel, container, or the like. For example, in amedical setting, the input connection 815 may be configured to couple toa syringe (e.g., using a Luer lock fitting) that contains a fluid, and ahuman operator can physically express the fluid from the syringe intothe fluid path 814. In some scenarios, FCD 812 may include the inputconnection 815 and may omit an output connection 817 so that FCD 812 canbe filled with a fluid so that, once filled, optical interrogation ofthe fluid sample can commence. After completion of the opticalinterrogation, the fluid sample may egress from the fluid path 814through the same point at which it entered the fluid path 814.Alternatively, the output connection 817 may be included, but sealedwhile FCD 812 is filled with a fluid sample. Additionally, oralternatively, FCD 812 may be disposable such that the human operatormay dispose of FCD 812 after performing one or more opticalinterrogations of a fluid sample(s). In a similar scenario, the outputconnection (817, for example) may be connected directly to alocked/secured biological waste container (e.g. via a tamper-evidentseal or a cap with a lock). Once a human operator physically expressesfluid from a syringe into the fluid path 814, the fluid cannot bediverted before being rendered unrecoverable (either physically and/orchemically) by the waste container. An optional and additional outputconnection may exist on the FCD 812 to provide an option for fluidrecovery after optical interrogation but before dispensing into a securewaste container (i.e. before the fluid is rendered unrecoverable).

In an aspect, spherical lens element 860, via an optical analysis deviceconnector, can enable optical energy 830 to be passed into and out ofanalysis zone 862 from outside of the fluid path. Whereas fluid flow toanalysis zone 862 can be introduced through sealed connections to afluidic system, spherical lens element 860 can provide for opticalinterrogation of an in situ sample at analysis zone 862 by an externaloptical analysis device. This can provide a seamless integration of themeasurement interface into fluid path 814.

It is noted that FCD 812 is not illustrated in a proportionate mannerand that the dimensions of the components illustrated can be other thanillustrated without departing form the scope of the disclosed subjectmatter. As an example, spherical lens element 860 can be larger orsmaller than illustrated in relation to fluid path 814. Moreover, theparticular configuration of the illustrated components can be alteredwhere the function of the components is retained.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a perspective view of an example system 900with a flow cell device 912 similar to the flow cell device 812 of FIG.8. The system 900 may include the same or similar components to thosedescribed with reference to FIG. 8, including, as shown in FIG. 9, a FCD912 having an input connection 915. In addition, the system 900 shown inFIG. 9 includes an input connector 919 and an output connector 921configured to couple to the input connection 915 and the outputconnection (e.g., output connection 817 of FIG. 8), respectively. Theseinput/output connectors 919/921 may, for example, include externalthreads, and possibly multiple components to threadingly couple with theFCD 912 to create a sealed fluid path (e.g., fluid path 814 of FIG. 8).The system 900 may also include an optical analysis device connector916. In an aspect, optical analysis device connector 916 can be aconduit (e.g., defined within a tube), and a removable optical analysiscomponents, e.g., 150, etc., can be attached and detached from FCD 912via the optical analysis device connector 916. In some, but not all,embodiments optical analysis device connector 916 can be cylindricallysymmetric. Other embodiments can provide an optical path to/fromspherical lens element (e.g., spherical lens element 860 of FIG. 8)while having alternate geometries, e.g., a square cross section, anoctagonal cross section, a cross section having a keyed portion toenable an addressable connection to an optical analysis component, e.g.,optical analysis component 150, etc., or nearly any other shape thatstill provides an optical path for optical energy 830. As examples,optical analysis device connector 916 can be mounted into the body ofFCD 812, can be adhered to, welded, braised, soldered, etc., to FCD 812,without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 10 is a front cross section illustration of a system 1000, whichcan facilitate transmission of optical energy in and out of an analysiszone via a spherical optical element of flow cell device, in accordancewith aspects of the subject disclosure. System 1000 can include flowcell device (FCD) 1012. FCD 1012 may be configured for use with anautoclavable biotech Raman BallProbe, such as the Marqmetrix BioReactorBallProbe, a Raman probe with an ability to effectively withstand harsheffects of an apparatus used in a sterilizing process through theapplication of high heat and pressure. The FCD 1012 can provide fluidpath 1014 to facilitate the transport of a fluid through analysis zone1062. Analysis zone 1062 can be proximate to a SOE, e.g., spherical lenselement 1060, as is shown in FIG. 11 with the non-explodedcross-sectional view of the system 1100, which may be the same system ora similar system to the system 1000, including an analysis zone 1162 anda spherical lens element 1160. Spherical lens element 1060 can define aportion of a boundary of fluid path 1014, e.g., spherical lens element1060 can act as part of the wall of a tunnel through FCD 1012 thatcarries a flowing fluid. Spherical lens element 1060 can be retained inFCD 1012 via spherical lens retention component 1018. Spherical lensretention component 1018 can provide seating and sealing pressure, forexample, via a threaded interface with FCD 1012, via a friction fitinterface with FCD 1012, can be held in compression against the SOE byan adhesive bond to the body of FCD 1012, can be brazed or soldered inplace, etc. The spherical lens element 1060/1160 may, for example, besealed into an orifice 1025/1125 (as shown in FIG. 11), the orifice1025/1125 defined in the flow cell device 1012/1112 at a portion of aboundary of the fluid path 1014/1114. FIG. 10 shows a gasket 1023 (e.g.,a rubber gasket, an elastomer gasket, an epoxy gasket, a deformablemetal (e.g., gold) gasket, etc.) that may provide such a seal betweenthe spherical lens element 1060/1160 and the orifice 1025/1125 into thefluid path 1014/1114. In this manner, the spherical lens element1060/1160 may provide optical access to the analysis zone 1062/1162 ofthe fluid path 1014/1114 while preventing leaking of the fluid betweenthe spherical lens element 1060/1160 and the orifice 1025/1125 (when inthe configuration of FIG. 11). Alternatively, spherical lens element1060 may be mounted in the body of FCD 1012 without spherical lensretention component 1018. FCD 1012 can include an input connection 1015(e.g., an internally threaded hole) that couples to an input connector1019 of a fluidic system, and an output connection 1017 (e.g., aninternally threaded hole) that couples to an output connector 1021 of afluidic system. In some embodiments, the fluidic system can comprise avessel, container, or the like that contains a fluid that can beexpressed from the vessel, container, or the like. For example, in amedical setting, the input connection 1015 may be configured to coupleto a syringe (e.g., using a Luer lock fitting) that contains a fluid,and a human operator can physically express the fluid from the syringeinto the fluid path 1014. In some scenarios, FCD 1012 may include theinput connection 1015 and may omit an output connection 1017 so that FCD1012 can be filled with a fluid so that, once filled, opticalinterrogation of the fluid sample can commence. After completion of theoptical interrogation, the fluid sample may egress from the fluid path1014 through the same point at which it entered the fluid path 1014.Alternatively, the output connection 1017 may be included, but sealedwhile FCD 1012 is filled with a fluid sample. Additionally, oralternatively, FCD 1012 may be disposable such that the human operatormay dispose of FCD 1012 after performing one or more opticalinterrogations of a fluid sample(s).

In an aspect, spherical lens element 1060, via optical analysis deviceconnector 1016, can enable optical energy 1030 to be passed into and outof analysis zone 1062 from outside of the fluid path. Whereas fluid flowto analysis zone 1062 can be introduced through sealed connections to afluidic system, spherical lens element 1060 can provide for opticalinterrogation of an in situ sample at analysis zone 1062 by an externaloptical analysis device. This can provide a seamless integration of themeasurement interface into fluid path 1014. In an aspect, opticalanalysis device connector 1016 can be a conduit (e.g., defined within atube), and a removable optical analysis components, e.g., 150, etc., canbe attached and detached from FCD 1012 via the optical analysis deviceconnector 1016. In some, but not all, embodiments optical analysisdevice connector 1016 can be cylindrically symmetric. Other embodimentscan provide an optical path to/from spherical lens element 1060 whilehaving alternate geometries, e.g., a square cross section, an octagonalcross section, a cross section having a keyed portion to enable anaddressable connection to an optical analysis component, e.g., opticalanalysis component 150, etc., or nearly any other shape that stillprovides an optical path for optical energy 1030.

It is noted that system 1000 and the system 1100 are not illustrated ina proportionate manner and that the dimensions of the componentsillustrated can be other than illustrated without departing form thescope of the disclosed subject matter. As an example, spherical lenselement 1060/1160 can be larger or smaller than illustrated in relationto fluid path 1014/1114. Moreover, the particular configuration of theillustrated components can be altered where the function of thecomponents is retained. As examples, spherical lens retention component1018/1118 can be reduced to fit entirely within FCD 1012/1112, opticalanalysis device connector 1016/1116 can be longer/shorter, have athinner/thicker wall, can have a larger/smaller inner diameter, etc.,optical analysis device connector 1016/1116 can be mounted into the bodyof FCD 1012/1112, can be adhered to, epoxied, welded, braised, soldered,etc., to FCD 1012/1112, can include spherical lens retention component1018/1118, FCD 1012/1112 can include optical analysis device connector1016/1116, etc., without departing from the scope of the disclosedsubject matter.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a perspective view of an example flow celldevice 1212 similar to the flow cell device of FIGS. 10 and 11. The flowcell device 1212 may have similar features to the flow cell devices 1012and 1112 of FIGS. 10 and 11, such as the features shown in FIG. 12,including the output connection 1217, and an optical energy connection1227 to receive an optical analysis device connector 1016/1116 and aspherical lens retention component 1018/1118. The optical energyconnection 1227 may be configured to couple FCD 1212 to an autoclavablebiotech Raman BallProbe that is particularly tailored for use inbioprocess and/or sterile applications, such as the MarqmetrixBioReactor BallProbe. Accordingly, the optical analysis device connector1016/1116 can represent a component part of an immersion probe thatcouples to FCD 1212 via the optical energy connection 1227.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional illustration of a system 1300, which canfacilitate transmitting optical energy in and out of an analysis zonevia a spherical optical element of a first leg of a fluid path of a flowcell device and provides a second leg of the fluid path including anadditional interrogation interface, in accordance with aspects of thesubject disclosure. System 1300 can include flow cell device (FCD) 1312.FCD 1312 can provide a fluid path from fluid flow input 1320 to fluidflow output 1340. A portion of the fluid path can transport a fluidthrough analysis zone 1362. Analysis zone 1362 can be proximate to aSOE, e.g., spherical lens element 1360. Spherical lens element 1360 candefine a portion of a boundary of the fluid path proximate to analysiszone 1362, e.g., spherical lens element 1360 can act as part of the wallof a tunnel through FCD 1312 that carries a flowing fluid.

In an aspect, spherical lens element 1360 can enable optical energy 1330to be passed into and out of analysis zone 1362 from outside of thefluid path. Whereas fluid flow to analysis zone 1362 can be introducedthrough sealed connections to a fluidic system, spherical lens element1360 can provide for optical interrogation of an in situ sample atanalysis zone 1362 by an external optical analysis device. This canprovide a seamless integration of the measurement interface into fluidpath.

In some embodiments, system 1300 can facilitate additional interrogationof the fluid flowing in the fluid path. FCD 1312 can include additionalfluid path interrogation interface 1370. Additional fluid pathinterrogation interface 1370 can enable creation of a multivariatemeasurement location of the fluid flowing through a correspondingportion of the fluid path. In some embodiments, additional fluid pathinterrogation interface 1370 can be proximate to the analysis zone,e.g., analysis zone 262, corresponding to spherical lens element 1360.In other embodiments, additional fluid interrogation interface 1370 neednot be proximate to the analysis zone. It is noted that that thegeometry of the fluid path can be determined to provide a knowncorrelation between the fluid flowing at analysis zone 1362 and thefluid flowing at additional fluid path interrogation interface 1370 inview of the fluid path diversion point 1390. In some embodiments, fluidpath diversion point 1390 can include, for example, a filter, selectivemembrane, passive valve, active valve, etc. Moreover, additionalchemical interactions can be conducted on the fluid flowing via one ormore portions of the fluid path. As an example, a pH indicator can beadded to the fluid flowing past additional fluid path interrogationinterface 1370, which can be correlated to the optical analysis of thefluid flowing past analysis zone 1362, such that the pH of the fluid canbe correlated to the optical analysis of the fluid. The fluids can, insome embodiments be recombined at fluid path recombining point 1392. Itwill also be noted that the volumes of different portions of the flowpath can be the same or different. As an example, 99.9% of the fluid canflow past analysis zone 1362 while 0.1% of the fluid flows pastadditional fluid path interrogation interface 1370. This example canallow the introduction of a pH indicator to the fluid flowing pastadditional fluid path interrogation interface 1370. This portion canthen be discarded rather than being recombined at fluid path recombiningpoint 1392. Additionally, there can be any number of additional fluidpath interrogation interfaces and corresponding fluid path portions,without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, so as toallow for additional chemistry and/or fluid analysis before recombiningsome, all, or none of the additional fluid path interrogation interfacefluid paths at fluid path recombining point 1392.

In an aspect, optical analysis via spherical lens element 1360 can becorrelated to interrogation results via additional fluid pathinterrogation interface 1370. This can provide additional analyticalvectors into the properties of the fluid passing through the fluid path,particularly as it passes through analysis zone 1362. It will also benoted that the fluid path can take any form needed to provide foradditional fluid path interrogation interface 1370 and is expressly notconstrained to the form illustrated in system 1300, which was selectedfor simplicity of illustration.

In view of the example system(s) described above, example process(s)that can be implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject mattercan be better appreciated with reference to flowcharts in FIG. 14-FIG.16. For purposes of simplicity of explanation, example processesdisclosed herein are presented and described as a series of acts;however, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subjectmatter is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown anddescribed herein. For example, one or more example processes disclosedherein could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelatedstates or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, interactiondiagram(s) may represent processes in accordance with the disclosedsubject matter when disparate entities enact disparate portions of theprocesses. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may be required toimplement a described example process in accordance with the subjectspecification. Further yet, two or more of the disclosed exampleprocesses can be implemented in combination with each other, toaccomplish one or more aspects herein described. It should be furtherappreciated that the example processes disclosed throughout the subjectspecification are capable of being stored on an article of manufacture(e.g., a computer-readable medium) to allow transporting andtransferring such processes to computers for execution, and thusimplementation, by a processor or for storage in a memory.

FIG. 14 illustrates example process 1400 that facilitates analysis of afluid passing through a flow cell device including a spherical lens thatenables transmitting optical energy in and out of an analysis zone offlow cell device, in accordance with aspects of the subject disclosure.Process 1400, at 1410, can include, receiving, at a flow cell device(FCD), a fluid input flow. The fluid input can be received from afluidic system, for example a petrochemical plant, pharmaceutical plant,municipal water treatment facility, etc. In an aspect, the fluidicsystem can include a fluid transport line that can be adapted to, or canbe design to, include a FCD to facilitate optical analysis as disclosedherein.

At 1420, process 1400 can include enabling, via the FCD, transport ofthe fluid of the fluid input flow to an analysis zone of the FCDincluding a spherical lens. The spherical lens can facilitate opticalanalysis of the fluid in the analysis zone. The spherical lens can forma portion of a fluidic channel of the FCD.

At 1430, process 1400 can provide egress for the fluid from the analysiszone in response to a condition of the fluid input flow. At this point,process 1400 can end. In some embodiments, as additional fluid isintroduced at the input of the FCD, e.g., fluid pressure is higher atthe input than at the output, fluid can be pushed through the analysiszone to the fluid egress. In another embodiment, as fluid is removedfrom the FCD egress, e.g., fluid pressure is higher at the input than atthe output, additional fluid can be introduced at the input of the FCD,resulting in fluid being pulled through the analysis zone from the inputto the fluid egress.

FIG. 15 illustrates example process 1500 facilitating removablyconnecting an optical analysis device to a flow cell device including aspherical lens that enables transmitting optical energy in and out of ananalysis zone of flow cell device, in accordance with aspects of thesubject disclosure. Process 1500, at 1510, can include connecting anoptical analysis device to a flow cell device (FCD) via a connectingportion of the FCD. In some embodiments, connection to the FCD can beautomated. In other embodiments, the connection can be manual. In anaspect, connecting the optical analysis device to the FCD can enable theoptical analysis device to initiate an optical analysis, e.g., theconnection can overcome an interlock element that would otherwiseprevent the optical analysis device from, for example, firing aninterrogating laser without being properly connected to the FCD.

At 1520, process 1500 can include initiating an optical analysis of afluid present in a fluid analysis region of the FCD. The opticalanalysis can be performed via a spherical lens of the FCD. The sphericallens can be disposed in a wall of a fluid path of the FCD as disclosedelsewhere herein. The fluid analysis region can be bounded by at least aportion of the surface of the spherical lens. As such, optical energyinput into a first side of the spherical optical lens can be introducedinto the fluid analysis region via a second side of the sphericaloptical lens to enable analysis of the fluid in situ without exposingthe fluid to the external environment and without inserting the outsideenvironment into the in situ environment.

At 1530, process 1500 can include removing the optical analysis devicefrom the FCD. At this point process 1500 can end. Disconnecting theoptical analysis device from the connecting portion of the FCD can be anautomated or manual process. In some embodiments, the disconnection canreestablish aforementioned interlock condition. Moreover, in someembodiments, the disconnected optical analysis device can be moved to adifferent FCD, enabling additional analyses to be performed at othertest points of a fluidic system.

FIG. 16 illustrates example process 1600 facilitating triggering atleast an optical analysis of a fluid passing through a flow cell deviceincluding a spherical lens that enables transmitting optical energy inand out of an analysis zone of flow cell device, in accordance withaspects of the subject disclosure. Process 1600, at 1610, can includedetermining, by a device including a processor, that a conditionassociated with a fluid analysis zone satisfies a rule related to anoptical analysis triggering condition. In an aspect, the conditionassociated with the fluid analysis zone can be determined based on dataobtained regarding the fluid flowing through a flow cell device (FCD),for example, as captured by sensor device(s) 380, etc.

At 1620, process 1600 can include initiating an optical analysis inresponse to the determining the condition at 1610. The analysis can beof a fluid present in a fluid analysis zone. An impinging optical pathof optical energy and a return path for returned optical energy cantraverse a spherical lens. The spherical lens can be disposed in theflow cell device and be in contact with the fluid as it flows therethrough. In an aspect, where the optical analysis trigger condition isdetermined to occur at 1610, the optical analysis can be initiated bythe processor at 1620. The optical analysis occurs via a sphericaloptical lens allowing external interrogation of the in situ environmentof the fluid flow path through the FCD.

At 1630 of process 1600, a supplementary analysis can be performed via asupplementary analysis interface in response to determining that thesupplementary analysis has been triggered. Triggering the supplementaryanalysis can be based on the data collected at 1610, the initiation ofthe optical analysis at 1620, etc. The supplementary analysis can occur,for example, via additional fluid path interrogation interface 370,1370, etc., via sensor device(s) 380, etc., or other analyticalmodalities.

At 1640 of process 1600, data can be collected by the processor via asensor device, e.g., sensor device(s) 380, etc., of the FCD. The datacollection at 1640 can be in response to the optical analysis of 1620,the supplementary analysis of 1630, the triggering of 1610, etc. Sensordata can be correlated to a fluid condition, a FCD condition, an opticalenergy condition, a spherical optical element condition, etc. As anexample, a temperature of the FCD can be monitored by a temperaturesensor to evaluate a condensing condition of a gas flow through the FCD,e.g., the fluid can be a liquid, gas, slurry, suspension, heterogeneousmixture of liquid and solid, powder, aerosol or other flowing solidmaterial (e.g., peanut butter), or any other fluid.

At 1650, process 1600 can include correlating, by the processor, datafrom the optical analysis, the supplementary analysis, and the sensordata. At this point process 1600 can end. Further, at 1650, access tothe correlated data can be enabled by the processor. In an aspect, dataaccess can be based on numerous criteria, such as, bandwidth, alertcondition(s), available memory, etc. As an example, the correlated datacan be accessed by a laboratory information management system (LIMS)component for analysis performed via FCDs located in-plant or, subjectto available connectivity, out-of-plant. As another example, data can becategorized and/or ranked, to allow preservation of more critical dataon a portable optical analysis device that has limited memory capacity.Similarly, for example, some data from the FCD, e.g., some, none, or allof the sensor device(s) data; some, none, or all of the supplementaryanalysis data, etc., may not be coordinated or stored based on a devicestate, e.g., a limited memory can result in storage of all or less thanall of the available data for the one or more analytical modes providedby the disclosed FCD with spherical lens element. It will be noted thatprocessing can occur, at least in part, on a processor that is locatedproximate to the FCD, remote from the FCD and connected via a wiredand/or wireless network, on a distributed computing platform, e.g., acloud platform, etc., as a virtualized data processing component, etc.

In some embodiments, the flow cell device (FCD) (e.g., FCD 212-1312) canbe consumable or exchangeable. This can be in lieu of, or in additionto, the FCD being cleanable. It will be appreciated that repeated use ofa FCD without cleaning can result in changes to the condition of the FCDthat can alter captured results. As an example, flow of a viscous samplethrough the FCD can result in the sample adhering to an optical elementof the FCD and preventing accurate results in following analytical runsof the instrument. In these situations, the FCD can be cleaned orexchanged. In an aspect, some types of samples can be affiliated withparticular types of FCDs, for example, sampling of concentratedhydrofluoric acid can be better performed with a plastic lens in the FCDthan a glass lens in the FCD. As another example, a first depth of focuscan be desired for a first analysis and a different second depth offocus can be desired for another analysis. The disclosed subject mattercan include a cleaning component to enable cleaning of a FCD. Moreover,the disclosed subject matter can include a plurality of other FCDs toallow for replacement of consumed FCDs, exchange of FCDs suited to ananalysis, etc. As an example, a FCD that was used with a viscous samplecan be moved to the cleaning component and a different FCD can besubstituted. This can allow the analysis to continue while the first FCDis being cleaned. In another example, a damaged FCD can be disposed ofand a replacement FCD can be retrieved from the repository of FCDs. In afurther example, a first FCD can be used for a first analysis and then asecond FCD can be used for a second analysis. Moreover, the system can,in some embodiments, check the condition of a FCD to determine ifreplacement of the FCD should occur, e.g., a self-diagnostic,calibration, etc.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, FCD can include, or be, a consumablecomponent. In an aspect, a consumable FCD can include the opticalelement to direct optical energy at the sample. As an example, aconsumable FCD can be a disposable FCD with a spherical optical elementthat is included in the FCD. As such, when a consumable FCD becomesdirty, damaged, ill-suited to the determined optical analysis, etc., theconsumable FCD can be discarded and a replacement consumable FCD can beimplemented to proceed with further analysis. A disposable FCD can beused repeatedly, and there may be situations in which replacement of thedisposable FCD is desirable, e.g., to prevent cross contamination,damage to the FCD, fouling of the FCD, etc. Similarly, a consumable FCDcan allow continued use of an optical element until it is determinedthat the consumable FCD should be replaced with another consumable FCD.In an aspect, the replacement consumable FCD can be the same, similarto, or different from, the consumable FCD being replaced.

Moreover, in some embodiments, a consumable FCD can be constructed ofnearly any material. A consumable FCD can include a suitable polymer. Aconsumable FCD can include other materials, such as, but not limited to,stainless steel, gold, or other metal; borosilicate or other glass;starches or other carbohydrates, etc.; or nearly any other materialsuitable to a particular sample environment. Moreover, materials can bemachined, sintered, cast, injection molded, 3D-printed, etc., forexample to form a body, etc., of the consumable FCD. In an example, theconsumable FCD can include an optical element that can be generallyspherical. The optical element can be separately manufactured and addedto the body of a consumable FCD, either as part of a molding process,bonded with an adhesive, attached with a friction or press fit,mechanically captured, etc. In other embodiments, the spherical opticalelement can be co-formed with the body as part of a molding process,e.g., the spherical optical element can be formed, of the same or adifferent material, as the consumable FCD body, such as by injectionmolding; can be formed, of the same or a different material, as theconsumable FCD via 3D printing; etc. Additionally, spherical opticalelements can be manufactured from nearly any appropriate material,including the same or different materials as the body of the consumableFCD. Non-limiting examples of appropriate materials can include apolymer, sapphire, glass, mineral, etc., depending on the opticalproperties suited to a given scenario.

FIG. 17 illustrates a block diagram of a computing system 1700 operableto execute the disclosed systems and processes in accordance with someembodiments. Computer 1712, which can be, for example, included inoptical analysis component 150, fluidic system component 102, FCD212-1312, sensor device(s) 380, etc., can include a processing unit1714, a system memory 1716, and a system bus 1718. System bus 1718couples system components including, but not limited to, system memory1716 to processing unit 1714. Processing unit 1714 can be any of variousavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessorarchitectures also can be employed as processing unit 1714.

System bus 1718 can be any of several types of bus structure(s)including a memory bus or a memory controller, a peripheral bus or anexternal bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available busarchitectures including, but not limited to, industrial standardarchitecture, micro-channel architecture, extended industrial standardarchitecture, intelligent drive electronics, video electronics standardsassociation local bus, peripheral component interconnect, card bus,universal serial bus, advanced graphics port, personal computer memorycard international association bus, Firewire (Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers 1194), and small computer systems interface.

System memory 1716 can include volatile memory 1720 and nonvolatilememory 1722. A basic input/output system, containing routines totransfer information between elements within computer 1712, such asduring start-up, can be stored in nonvolatile memory 1722. By way ofillustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory 1722 can includeread only memory, programmable read only memory, electricallyprogrammable read only memory, electrically erasable read only memory,or flash memory. Volatile memory 1720 includes read only memory, whichacts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, read only memory is available in many forms such assynchronous random access memory, dynamic read only memory, synchronousdynamic read only memory, double data rate synchronous dynamic read onlymemory, enhanced synchronous dynamic read only memory, SynchLink dynamicread only memory, Rambus direct read only memory, direct Rambus dynamicread only memory, and Rambus dynamic read only memory.

Computer 1712 can also include removable/non-removable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. FIG. 17 illustrates, forexample, disk storage 1724. Disk storage 1724 includes, but is notlimited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, tapedrive, flash memory card, or memory stick. In addition, disk storage1724 can include storage media separately or in combination with otherstorage media including, but not limited to, an optical disk drive suchas a compact disk read only memory device, compact disk recordabledrive, compact disk rewritable drive or a digital versatile disk readonly memory. To facilitate connection of the disk storage devices 1724to system bus 1718, a removable or non-removable interface is typicallyused, such as interface 1726.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, whichtwo terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.

Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any process or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, read only memory, programmable read only memory,electrically programmable read only memory, electrically erasable readonly memory, flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk readonly memory, digital versatile disk or other optical disk storage,magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or other tangible media which can be used tostore desired information. In this regard, the term “tangible” herein asmay be applied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, is to beunderstood to exclude only propagating intangible signals per se as amodifier and does not relinquish coverage of all standard storage,memory or computer-readable media that are not only propagatingintangible signals per se. In an aspect, tangible media can includenon-transitory media wherein the term “non-transitory” herein as may beapplied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, is to beunderstood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se as amodifier and does not relinquish coverage of all standard storage,memory or computer-readable media that are not only propagatingtransitory signals per se. Computer-readable storage media can beaccessed by one or more local or remote computing devices, e.g., viaaccess requests, queries or other data retrieval protocols, for avariety of operations with respect to the information stored by themedium. As such, for example, a computer-readable medium can includeexecutable instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution,can cause a system including a processor to perform operations,including determining satisfaction of triggering conditions, conditionsrelating to a property of a fluid in a analysis zone, sensor device(s)data, etc.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information deliveryor transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By wayof example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

It can be noted that FIG. 17 describes software that acts as anintermediary between users and computer resources described in suitableoperating environment 1700. Such software includes an operating system1728. Operating system 1728, which can be stored on disk storage 1724,acts to control and allocate resources of computer system 1712. Systemapplications 1730 take advantage of the management of resources byoperating system 1728 through program modules 1732 and program data 1034stored either in system memory 1716 or on disk storage 1724. It is to benoted that the disclosed subject matter can be implemented with variousoperating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands or information into computer 1712 throughinput device(s) 1736. In some embodiments, a user interface can allowentry of user preference information, etc., and can be embodied in atouch sensitive display panel, a mouse/pointer input to a graphical userinterface (GUI), a command line controlled interface, etc., allowing auser to interact with computer 1712. Input devices 1736 include, but arenot limited to, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus,touch pad, keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish,scanner, TV tuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, webcamera, cell phone, smartphone, tablet computer, etc. These and otherinput devices connect to processing unit 1714 through system bus 1718 byway of interface port(s) 1738. Interface port(s) 1738 include, forexample, a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, a universal serialbus, an infrared port, a Bluetooth port, an IP port, or a logical portassociated with a wireless service, etc. Output device(s) 1740 use someof the same type of ports as input device(s) 1736.

Thus, for example, a universal serial busport can be used to provideinput to computer 1712 and to output information from computer 1712 toan output device 1740. Output adapter 1042 is provided to illustratethat there are some output devices 1740 like monitors, speakers, andprinters, among other output devices 1740, which use special adapters.Output adapters 1742 include, by way of illustration and not limitation,video and sound cards that provide means of connection between outputdevice 1740 and system bus 1718. It should be noted that other devicesand/or systems of devices provide both input and output capabilitiessuch as remote computer(s) 1744.

Computer 1712 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s)1744. Remote computer(s) 1744 can be a personal computer, a server, arouter, a network PC, cloud storage, a cloud service, code executing ina cloud-computing environment, a workstation, a microprocessor basedappliance, a peer device, or other common network node and the like, andtypically includes many or all of the elements described relative tocomputer 1712. A cloud computing environment, the cloud, or othersimilar terms can refer to computing that can share processing resourcesand data to one or more computer and/or other device(s) on an as neededbasis to enable access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources that can be provisioned and released readily. Cloud computingand storage solutions can store and/or process data in third-party datacenters which can leverage an economy of scale and can view accessingcomputing resources via a cloud service in a manner similar to asubscribing to an electric utility to access electrical energy, atelephone utility to access telephonic services, etc.

For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 1746 isillustrated with remote computer(s) 1744. Remote computer(s) 1744 islogically connected to computer 1712 through a network interface 1748and then physically connected by way of communication connection 1750.Network interface 1748 encompasses wire and/or wireless communicationnetworks such as local area networks and wide area networks. Local areanetwork technologies include fiber distributed data interface, copperdistributed data interface, Ethernet, Token Ring and the like. Wide areanetwork technologies include, but are not limited to, point-to-pointlinks, circuit-switching networks like integrated services digitalnetworks and variations thereon, packet switching networks, and digitalsubscriber lines. As noted below, wireless technologies may be used inaddition to or in place of the foregoing.

Communication connection(s) 1750 refer(s) to hardware/software employedto connect network interface 1748 to bus 1718. While communicationconnection 1750 is shown for illustrative clarity inside computer 1012,it can also be external to computer 1712. The hardware/software forconnection to network interface 1748 can include, for example, internaland external technologies such as modems, including regular telephonegrade modems, cable modems and digital subscriber line modems,integrated services digital network adapters, and Ethernet cards.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subjectdisclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the preciseforms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are describedherein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possiblethat are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples,as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

In this regard, while the disclosed subject matter has been described inconnection with various embodiments and corresponding Figures, whereapplicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can beused or modifications and additions can be made to the describedembodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitutefunction of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom.Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to anysingle embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed inbreadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or deviceincluding, but not limited to including, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit, a digital signalprocessor, a field programmable gate array, a programmable logiccontroller, a complex programmable logic device, a discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Processorscan exploit nano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to,molecular and quantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, inorder to optimize space usage or enhance performance of user equipment.A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computingprocessing units.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “system,”“platform,” “layer,” “selector,” “interface,” and the like are intendedto refer to a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program,and/or a computer. By way of illustration and not limitation, both anapplication running on a server and the server can be a component. Oneor more components may reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution and a component may be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers. In addition, these componentscan execute from various computer readable media having various datastructures stored thereon. The components may communicate via localand/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having oneor more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting withanother component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across anetwork such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). Asanother example, a component can be an apparatus with specificfunctionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric orelectronic circuitry, which is operated by a software or firmwareapplication executed by a processor, wherein the processor can beinternal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can include a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components.

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in thesubject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construedto mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from contextto be directed to a singular form. Moreover, the use of any particularembodiment or example in the present disclosure should not be treated asexclusive of any other particular embodiment or example, unlessexpressly indicated as such, e.g., a first embodiment that has aspect Aand a second embodiment that has aspect B does not preclude a thirdembodiment that has aspect A and aspect B. The use of granular examplesand embodiments is intended to simplify understanding of certainfeatures, aspects, etc., of the disclosed subject matter and is notintended to limit the disclosure to said granular instances of thedisclosed subject matter or to illustrate that combinations ofembodiments of the disclosed subject matter were not contemplated at thetime of actual or constructive reduction to practice.

As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, eachembodiment disclosed herein can include, consist essentially of orconsist of its particular stated element, step, ingredient or component.Thus, the terms “include” or “including” should be interpreted torecite: “include, consist of, or consist essentially of.” The transitionterm “include” or “includes” means includes, but is not limited to, andallows for the inclusion of unspecified elements, steps, ingredients, orcomponents, even in major amounts. The transitional phrase “consistingof” excludes any element, step, ingredient or component not specified.The transition phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope ofthe embodiment to the specified elements, steps, ingredients orcomponents and to those that do not materially affect the embodiment.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,”“prosumer,” “agent,” and the like are employed interchangeablythroughout the subject specification, unless context warrants particulardistinction(s) among the terms. It should be appreciated that such termscan refer to human entities, machine learning components, or automatedcomponents (e.g., supported through artificial intelligence, as througha capacity to make inferences based on complex mathematical formalisms),that can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

The term “infer” or “inference” can generally refer to the process ofreasoning about, or inferring states of, the system, environment, user,and/or intent from a set of observations as captured via events and/ordata. Captured data and events can include user data, device data,environment data, data from sensors, sensor data, application data,implicit data, explicit data, etc. Inference, for example, can beemployed to identify a specific context or action, or can generate aprobability distribution over states of interest based on aconsideration of data and events. Inference can also refer to techniquesemployed for composing higher-level events from a set of events and/ordata. Such inference results in the construction of new events oractions from a set of observed events and/or stored event data, whetherthe events, in some instances, can be correlated in close temporalproximity, and whether the events and data come from one or severalevent and data sources. Various classification schemes and/or systems(e.g., support vector machines, neural networks, expert systems,Bayesian belief networks, fuzzy logic, and data fusion engines) can beemployed in connection with performing automatic and/or inferred actionin connection with the disclosed subject matter.

What has been described above includes examples of systems and processesillustrative of the disclosed subject matter. It is, of course, notpossible to describe every combination of components or processesherein. One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many furthercombinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter arepossible. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,”“possesses,” and the like are used in the detailed description, claims,appendices and drawings such terms are intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “including” as “including” is interpretedwhen employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a device having definedtherein an analysis region, the device comprising an input connectionfor receiving a sample into the analysis region; and a spherical lensdisposed in the device and defining a portion of a boundary of theanalysis region at a first side of the analysis region, the sphericallens providing an optical analysis device with optical access to theanalysis region to optically interrogate at least a portion of thesample within the analysis region, wherein a second side of the analysisregion opposite the first side is devoid of any additional lenses. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein the sample is at least one of a gas or aliquid.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the spherical lens is sealedinto an orifice defined in the device to provide the optical accesswhile preventing leaking of the sample between the spherical lens andthe orifice.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the spherical lens issealed into the orifice by an elastomer.
 5. The system of claim 3,wherein the spherical lens is sealed into the orifice by a metal that isdeformable without damage to the spherical lens.
 6. The system of claim1, wherein the optical analysis device is a Raman spectrometer.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the spherical lens comprises at least one ofa glass or a polymer.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the inputconnection couples to a component of a fluidic system, the component ofthe fluidic system comprising at least one of a pressure fitting, atapered threaded device, a parallel threaded device, a quick-connectdevice, a face-sealed device, a piston sealed device, a ferrulecompression device, a conical device, a coned-and-threaded device, awelded device, a brazed device, or a soldered device.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein a body of the device comprises a polymer.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the spherical lens is attached to a body ofthe device by an adhesive.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein a body ofthe device is made of a same material as the spherical lens.
 12. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising the optical analysis device, theoptical analysis device comprising an optical emitter portion and anoptical receiver portion, the optical emitter portion configured to emitoptical energy toward the spherical lens, and the optical receiverportion configured to receive returned optical energy via the sphericallens.
 13. A method comprising: receiving a sample within an analysiszone that is defined in a device, wherein the analysis zone is boundedat a first side of the analysis zone by at least a portion of a surfaceof a spherical lens mounted in a body of the device, and wherein theanalysis zone does not include any additional lenses at a second side ofthe analysis zone opposite the first side; and conducting an opticalinterrogation of the sample in the analysis zone by: passing emittedoptical energy that is emitted from an optical analysis device throughthe spherical lens into the analysis zone; collecting returned opticalenergy that is returned to the optical analysis device through thespherical lens; and analyzing the returned optical energy.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the sample is at least one of a liquid or agas.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein a seal exists between thespherical lens and a portion of the device defining a boundary of theanalysis zone, and wherein the seal is enabled by at least one of anelastomer, a polymer, an epoxy, an adhesive, or a deformable metal. 16.The method of claim 13, wherein the optical analysis device comprises aRaman spectrometer removably connected to the device.
 17. A systemcomprising: a device having defined therein an analysis region, thedevice including an input connection to receive a sample into theanalysis region; and a spherical lens that defines a portion of aboundary of the analysis region at a first side of the analysis region,the spherical lens to provide an optical analysis device with opticalaccess to the analysis region to optically interrogate at least aportion of the sample within the analysis region, wherein a second sideof the analysis region opposite the first side does not include anyadditional lenses.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the sphericallens is sealed into an orifice defined in the device at the portion ofthe boundary of the analysis region by at least one of an elastomer, apolymer, an adhesive, or a metal that is deformable, and wherein thesample is prevented from leaking between the spherical lens and theorifice.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein a body of the devicecomprises a polymer.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the sphericallens is configured to: allow emitted optical energy emitted from theoptical analysis device to pass through the spherical lens in a firstdirection into the analysis zone; and allow returned optical energy topass through the spherical lens in a second direction to the opticalanalysis device, the second direction opposite the first direction.